USA > Virginia > Sketches of Virginia : historical and biographical > Part 27
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After much enquiry and reading and self-examination, he came to the conclusion that he loved the Lord Christ and ought to spend his life in preaching the gospel. Having finished his college course with honor, his morals untarnished and his profession of religion unspotted, he commenced the study of Theology in preparation for the gospel ministry. His friends were in great doubt about the propriety of his choice of profession. His way of thinking and speaking would provoke a smile when there was no cause for ridicule or sneering because there was nothing mean, or vulgar, or vile in the subjects under consideration. Carrying the impress of honesty and frankness, he had no natural or acquired gravity. But while smiling at the oddity of the speaker in his exhortations at prayer- meetings, the hearer would be arrested by his intense earnestness. He, that began to listen with a smile, would in the end be bathed in tears. Allen seemed to those, who knew him best, to live only for religion ; his heart was filled with desires to do good. His ac- quaintances loved him for his devotion to God, while they feared he would mar his usefulness as a minister, by his strange fun-produc- ing ways; and threw many obstacles in the way of his entering the ministry, to divert his attention and lead him to some other pursuit in life. But all these efforts were in vain.
In January 1789, he was received by the Hanover Presbytery, met at Buffalo, as candidate for the gospel ministry, after an enquiry at some length - "into his experimental knowledge of religion, and a work of grace in his soul, 'and after some time spent in hearing from him a detail of God's dealings with him, and examining into his motives for desiring to preach the gospel." At the next meet- ing held April 26th, in the same year, at Buffalo, Mr. Legrand de- livered his popular sermon and read his lecture, and on the next day Mr. Allen read an essay on the Extent of Christ's Redemption, and a Presbyterial exercise upon John 3d. 8th,-The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth ; so is every one that is born of the spirit. Mr. Legrand was licensed to preach, and Mr. Allen had other parts of trial assigned him. At Pisgah, in Bedford, Oct. 1789, Mr. Allen was called on to open Presbytery with his popular discourse on Rom. 7th. 13, 14; he read his lecture upon Luke 15th, from the 12th to the 32d verse, inclusive. Wm. Hill and Daniel Wiley were received candidates. Mr. Allen's pieces of trial were sus- tained. At Mr. Mitchel's house on the 19th, "The Presbytery then entered upon the examination of Mr. Allen on Divinity, and after spending a considerable time thereon, were of opinion that he is not so well acquainted with that necessary science as to be sufficiently qualified to teach others, at present. They therefore recommend to
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him a diligent attention to the study of Divinity till the next session of Presbytery." At this decision Allen was surprised and morti- fied. Legrand was licensed after about a year's study ; a Methodist minister was at this meeting received and ordained ; the revival was progressing, and calls for preaching came from every direction ; and his trial pieces had been sustained. The Church has long since decided that two years in study are not improperly spent in prepa- ration for the ministry ; and Allen had passed but one, but had studied as long as was usual in his day. The want of ministerial gravity impressed the Presbytery with the fear that the spirit of Theology had not sufficiently imbued his soul. Allen bowed meekly to the decision and without a word of complaint pursued his studies. On the 8th of May, 1790, at Briery, after examination at length in Divinity, Mr. Allen was licensed to preach the gospel. The Pres- bytery took him by the hand as a token of fellowship. This cere- mony became a standing rule from that time. Mr. Pattillo preached on the occasion from the words, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor."
Mr. Hill was licensed in the following July. He and Mr. Allen passed the summer as missionaries in the counties along the Carolina line. In October the Presbytery, "recommended Mr. Hill and Mr. Allen to the care and direction" of the commission of Synod on a request from that body. Allen had during the summer surpassed the expectations of his warmest friends. His whole soul was in his work. The careless and profane would listen to his talk; and who- ever listened for any time must hear some great truths of religion. His frank open countenance, his polite demeanor, and his cheerful- ness tinged with his indescribable drollery, attracted attention, and that once arrested Allen was sure of a hearing, be the auditor who he might, young or old, learned or unlearned, infidel or Christian. A sentence that provoked a smile would be followed by sentiment that shot like a barbed arrow to the heart. Often the very sen- tence that provoked the smile would make the heart ache. No one talked with him or heard him preach without feeling that he was a devotedly pious man. Multitudes under his ministry were turned to God. He continued in the employ of the commission of Synod about three years. In this time he made two trips across the Alle- ghenies.
The first tour of missionary service in that part of Virginia now embraced in the State of Kentucky, was performed by Mr. Allen and Robert Marshall, under the direction of the Commission in 1791. The route to Kentucky was dreary and dangerous. A vast wilderness intervened the settlements east of the Alleghenies and the scattered inhabitants on the Western rivers. Indians, hostile to the progress of the white man to their hunting grounds, infested the route by land or water. The cmigrants were accustomed to assemble at Fort Redstone, the head of boat navigation on the Monongahela, now called Brownsville. They might descend the Monongahela and Ohio rivers in boats, or cross the mountains on
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pack-horses. Emigrants commonly preferred to descend the rivers, as less fatiguing. Those returning from Kentucky preferred crossing the mountains.
As some time was necessarily consumed in the preparations for embarkation, Messrs. Allen and Marshall had opportunity to make proof of their ministry in Pennsylvania. Their zeal in the cause of the gospel excited great attention'; and the use of Watts's - psalms and hymns provoked opposition. Many refused to hear them ; but crowds of young people flocked to their appointments in private houses. A large number became deeply interested on the subject of their salvation. When the emigrants embarked there was a company of inquirers left around Redstone, many of whom afterwards became, hopefully, Christians, and were united with the Church of Christ.
After the usual exposures and labors of the passage down the rivers, in boats, the missionaries arrived safe in Kentucky, and without delay commenced their labors. Both were popular and useful ; and both eventually settled in that State. In habits and manner of preaching they were antipodes. Marshall was grave and reserved ; Allen cheerful to excess and social. Marshall declaimed powerfully, and could reason closely and exhibit much research. Allen, by his manner and cheerful speeches, would arrest attention, and fill the mind with pious thoughts without any pretence to argu- ment or research, or splendid declamation. For a time they went along in company. The calls for preaching becoming numerous, and at great distances, they separated to supply the urgent demand for the ministration of the word. In due time Mr. Marshall became pastor of the churches Bethel and Blue Spring. His ashes lie near Bethel church.
On Silver Creek was a settlement from Virginia. 'With them was living a Baptist minister, who had removed with them. He had grown lax in his sentiments, and preached Universalism. Many admired the new doctrine. Reports respecting Mr. Allen awakened a desire to hear him preach, and an invitation was sent to him to visit Silver Creek. On an appointed day a large crowd was assem- bled. The log meeting-house being small, a stand was erected in the woods. When Mr. Allen ascended the stand the Universalist took his seat by his side. After a pause, Mr. Allen arose and looking round upon the concourse assembled, seemed lost in thought. At length breaking silence - " I do not know to what to compare the people in Kentucky." Another long pause. "But I think they remind me of a nest of young robins as much as anything I can think of. Go to their nest and chirp, and every one will hold his mouth wide open, and you may put in what you please, food or poison, and it all goes down alike. Get up here and tell the people you are going to preach to them, and they stare at the preacher with eyes and mouth open, and you may say what you please, truth or error, sense or nonsense, and they are equally pleased, if you call it preaching. A man has been preaching here, who tells you
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he has found out a little back door in hell, where you may all step out, and get safely round to heaven at last; and because he called it preaching you gulped it. Poison, rank Poison. If you trust to this unscriptural fancy, you will land in that place of fire and brim- stone between which and heaven there rolls the unfathomable gulf you can never pass." He then gave a plain, pungent sermon, warning his hearers of the doom of all impenitent sinners. The "audience were captivated by the honesty of the man, and deeply impressed with the truths he delivered. He preached to the con- gregation repeatedly. On the 21st of April, 1792, a call was made out for him by desire of the people, and signed by Thomas Maxwell, Samuel Woods, Alexander Mackey, James Henderson, John Cochran, John Young, and Robert Dickey. They pledged for his support £150 the first year, and afterwards as they might agree.
Mr. Allen returned to Virginia soon after this call was made out. He went with a company on horseback across the mountains, car- rying his rifle like the rest, in defence against the patrolling Indians, girded with a wampum shot pouch that had been taken from a hostile Indian, and presented to him, in appearance more like a real backwoodsman than a gospel minister. The party often saw the trail of savages, but met no enemy. After parting with his travelling companions, passing on through Campbell County alone, towards evening, after a long day's ride, he determined to call for the night upon an old gentleman, an elder in the Church, in easy circum- stances, who lived not far from the road. The day had been warm, and he had put on a yellow grounded calico morning gown, with his wampum belt for a girdle. About dusk he approached the house, and asked the lady, who answered his call, for lodging and food. Not liking his appearance in this strange costume, with rifle in hand, she said they were not in the habit of entertaining strangers, and begged him to apply elsewhere. Allen replied -"The day is spent, I and my horse are weary ; and I have been taught that it is right for good people to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Moved by the text of scripture, the old lady bid him come in. He entered cheerfully, set his rifle in the corner of the room, hung his wampum belt upon the muzzle, and set himself at ease. "You have been travelling some distance ?" "Yes, a considerable distance, madam." "Pray, sir, where are you from ?" "From Kentucky, madam." "And what news do you bring from that new country ?" "Nothing much out of the usual way.", After a pause -"There is something which has excited a good deal of interest and talk among the people. Certain men have been there and brought strange things to their ears. Some do not understand these things; and others think there is a great deal of truth in them." "Why, who are they; and what do they talk about ?" "They call themselves preachers, and talk much about the Bible, and say people must be born again, and be con- verted, and the like of that; and many folks don't know what to make of such talk." "Well, if we believe the Bible, people must
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experience these things." "Aye, that is another thing which they talk much about - experience : they often talk of experience as an important point ; but many do not know what is meant by it." "Every true Christian knows what is meant by it," said the lady.
At this point in the conversation the old gentleman came in and took his seat. "But Madam, resumed Allen, you said every good Chris- tian knows what experience means. Pray Madam can you tell what it means ?" The old lady appeared unwilling to talk more before a thoughtless stranger, on the subject of experience. But Mr. Allen pressed the matter, saying he wished to know what it was. With some hesitation she told him the exercises of her mind till she found peace in believing on the Lord Jesus. Indeed, said Allen, is that what people mean by Christian experience ? Then turning to the old man-he inquired of him-if he had the experience of grace in his heart. The old man said he hoped so-but did not know for certain that he was ever converted. Do you think, said Allen-an experience of religion necessary ?- for instance-if a man is strictly honest, pays his debts, is charitable to the poor, and upright, and moral, may not such a man be saved without all this fuss about religion ? The old man thought that such a man might probably be saved. "In fact, says Allen, is it any matter what religion a man is of, if he is only sincere, and charitable, and honest, and lives a good moral life ?" The old man thought such an one might be saved as well as others. Supper was now announced.
Allen walked to the table, devoutly asked, a blessing, and sat down. The old lady gazed at him for a time. In the name of com- mon sense who are you ? Are you a minister of the gospel ? Allen smiled, told his name, and said he had been trying to preach the gospel. Now Mr. Allen, said she, aint you ashamed to play such pranks on an old woman, to make her expose herself. Never mind, said Allen, you have not exposed yourself ; you have borne an hon- orable testimony, that you are not ashamed of your religion, but are willing to confess Christ before men. But as for you, turning to the old man-you have given evidence that you know nothing about religion-and that you are in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity. He then exhorted the old man to flee from the wrath to come.
After a short visit at home, Mr. Allen prepared to return to Ken- tucky. The commission were well satisfied with his report; and in sending him back to his former scene of labor, they gave him for a companion, the Rev. William Calhoon, who had been licensed to preach on the 12th May of that year, 1792. In descending the Ohio, the boat in which they were embarked was attacked by In- dians. Mr. Allen insisted on having his post, and rifle in hand, with cheerfulness, faced the danger as fearless and composed as if the enemy were not near. .
On reaching Kentucky and resuming the work of a missionary, Mr. Allen resolved to get clear of his eccentric ways, and be as grave as Marshall, and his present companion, Calhoon. The year
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previous, Marshall seeing the impression made by Allen's humor, resolved to relax somewhat of his gravity and follow the track of Allen. A few attempts, however, convinced him of the absurdity of all such attempts ; and he renewed his efforts to improve the powers God had given him, and became the most impressive speaker in Kentucky. Allen admired gravity in others, and felt his want of it ; charmed with the ministerial dignity of his young friend, he determined to imitate him. With all the gravity he could assume, he went to his next appointment, rode to the house slowly, dis- mounted in a slow quiet manner, spoke gravely to the people, moved about in a solemn manner without a smile or exciting a smile in others. People were astonished. Are you unwell, Mr. Allen ? Has anything happened, Mr. Allen ? Have you heard any bad news, Mr. Allen ? Any affliction among your friends, Mr. Allen ? At last bursting into a laugh, to the surprise and merriment of all, ," he exclaimed - " I can play Calhoon no longer." When the excite- ment was over, he made them weep under his sermon.
In the fall of 1793, Messrs. Allen and Calhoon returned to Vir- ginia, and met the Presbytery at Cumberland meeting-house, Nov. 8th. The record is - "Mr. Carey Allen and Mr. William Calhoon who have been under the direction of the commission of Synod pro- ducing their dismission from that body with recommendations to the Presbytery, were again received and recorded as probationers under their charge." On the next day, Mr. Allen was appointed to supply in Albemarle, Madison, Louisa, Goochland, and Buckingham ; Mr. Calhoon in Mecklenburg, Lunenberg, Nottaway, and Amelia. The tour performed the succeeding winter by Mr. Allen was remem- bered through life by the youths and children on whom his conver- sation made the deepest impression. The cheerful man of God fastened their attention, and engraved on their memory the things of religion. Some living now will say -" I remember him at our house," and will tell what passed.
In' the Spring of 1794, Mr. Allen removed to Kentucky. In preparation for a permanent residence west of the Alleghenies, he was married to a daughter of Col. Fleming, of Botetourt. In pass- ing back and forth during the winter, he preached at Pattonsburg. Col. Skillern, an amiable old Virginia gentleman, not particularly inclined to religion, supposed to be somewhat infected with infidelity, went to hear him. Struck with the benignant countenance of the preacher, and impressed favorably by his singular sermon, he sought an introduction, and invited him to his house. Mr. Allen declined the invitation, having agreed to pass the night with another family. "Weil, Mr. Allen," said the Colonel, " I shall be happy to see you at my house at any time that will suit your convenience." "But, Colonel, I am sent out to preach the gospel, I have no other busi -. ness ; so I preach wherever I go." "That forms no objection, Mr. Allen, I shall be glad to see you, and have some of your conversa- tion." "Well now, Colonel, suppose I make an appointment to preach at your house a little time hence ?" "Agreed, Mr. Allen,
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1.
make what appointment you please." Mr. Allen immediately gave notice that on a certain Sabbath they might expect preaching at Col. Skillern's. "Now, Colonel, you may expect me the Saturday before."
On the appointed Saturday, Mr. Allen was most kindly received by the Colonel and his family ; and the afternoon and evening were spent in cheerful conversation. The improvement of James River was the absorbing subject at that time. The passage of a canal through the Blue Bidge, on the banks of the river, was considered of vital importance to the Valley. The Colonel was greatly inte- rested, as his possessions in lands and negroes were very large, and the difficulties in reaching market very much diminished the profits of his farming operations. Mr. Allen made no effort to turn the conversation in which the Colonel's heart was so engaged. At bed time he said, "It is my custom, Colonel, wherever I lodge, to have family prayers before I retire, will you call in your family ?" " Cer- tainly, sir;" and the family were assembled, and worship attended with great solemnity.
On Sabbath morning the Colonel began on James River, and its improvements. "Colonel," says Mr. Allen, "what day is this ?" "Sunday morning, sir." "Aye, so it is; and now will you tell me " the design of the Sabbath day ?" "It is for rest, and the worship of God." "Well, then, Colonel," said Allen, in his most pleasant manner, "we have had six busy days on James River, we are to let James River rest to-day, and all worldly matters, and attend to the proper business of the day. We will, if you please, begin with family worship before breakfast." " Certainly, Mr. Allen ;" and the family attended worship with great solemnity. After breakfast the Colonel began again on James River. "To the point, Colonel, to the point," said Allen, and turned the conversation upon the unsat- isfying nature of earthly things, and the necessity of laying a good · foundation for time to come.
At the hour of preaching, the house was filled ; rooms, passage, porch, all were occupied, and some even standing in the yard. The attention to the sermon was good; some of the hearers were deeply affected. Towards the close of the sermon, Mr. Allen turned to the Colonel's negroes who had been assembled, "You negroes, I have a word for you. Do you think that such poor black, dirty- looking creatures as you can ever get to heaven ? I do not speak this because I despise you, and have no tender feelings for you; by no means. I pity you from my heart. You are poor slaves, and have a hard time of it here; you work hard, and have few of the comforts of life that you can enjoy ; but I can tell you that the blessed Saviour shed his blood as much for you as for your masters, or any of the white people. He purchased pardon for you as much as for the white people. He has opened the door of heaven wide for you, and invites you to come in. I have thought the poor negro slaves, of all people, ought to strive the hardest to get reli- gion, and make their peace with God. Your masters may make some sort of excuse for serving the devil, because they have many
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of the good things of this life, with the pleasures of sin for a season. But what have you to make a heaven of in this world ? What do you get for serving the devil here ? You may become religious, and find peace with God as easy as white persons, and I think easier too, for you have not half so many temptations in your path. Make God your friend, and take Jesus for your Saviour, and he will keep you through all your troubles here ; and though your skins may be black here, you will hereafter shine like the stars in the firmament. I entreat you, set about this work without delay. Break off from all your wicked ways, your lying, stealing, swearing, drunkenness, and vile lewdness; give yourselves to prayer and repentance, and fly to Jesus, and give up your heart to him in true earnest, and flee from the wrath to come." The negroes wept abundantly. The white people were more affected with the address to the black people than with the sermon to themselves. Allen- parted with the family on the kindest terms. He never visited them again. He soon left Virginia for ever.
In one of his various journeyings, he found at the tavern at which he called to pass the night, a company of young people assem- bled for a dance. The landlord, at his request, accommodated him with a comfortable room and blazing fire ; and announced to the company, when about to begin the dance, that a very agreeable gen- tleman had arrived at the house and taken lodgings, and perhaps might be induced to join the dance. Well, said a lively, pretty girl, I will go and get him for my partner. Entering his door, she dropped a handsome curtsy, and said -sir, shall I have the pleasure of a dance with you this evening ? Allen eyed her for a moment, and said - well, my little sweet-heart, I cannot deny such a charming little girl what she asks. So taking her by the hand, they together entered the ball-room, and took their stand upon the floor. Just as the fiddle was called for to begin -stop ! stop ! says Allen, we are a little too fast; I make it a point to engage in nothing without asking heaven's blessing upon it. Let us pray. He put up a fervent prayer of some length. At its close, discovering he had made a deep impression, he gave a solemn exhor- tation. His lively partner, trembling with alarm, fell upon the floor, and was laid upon a couch. Some of the young men left the room ; others wept profusely ; and many exhibited deep feeling. The dance was broken up, and the evening spent in religious wor- ship ; many were asking what they should do to be saved. Tradi- tion says there were some hopeful conversions from among the enquir- ers. In his talent, or capability of saying and doing things which ordinary men could never accomplish, and should never attempt, was the secret of Allen's popularity. His sanctified eccentricity made him a useful man.
A little before his removal to Kentucky, he preached in Lexing- ton. Paine's Age of Reason had been circulated among the youth, and a number of store boys and apprentices were quite captivated with the work. There was much talk among the young people about the
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soundness of the arch-Infidel's opinions. A large company had assembled to hear Mr. Allen preach. Towards the close of the ser- mon he said -"Young men I have a word with you before I close ; - you say some of you, that by the help of Paine's Age of Reason, you have found out that religion is all a fable, and that the Bible is nothing but a pack of priest-craft. Now, I ask you what do you know about religion and the Bible ? When did you bestow half of the pains and time in studying the Bible that you have upon Paine's . Age of Reason ? You green-heads, you are nothing but the retail- ers of the shreds and scraps of Infidelity ; mere echoes of an echo. You know no more about religion than a goose does about geogra- phy." This attack came unexpectedly. The serious and grave could scarce restrain a laugh ; the contaminated youth bit their lips. Infidel talk was however banished from Lexington, or confined to private places. "Green-heads," and " goose's geography," would silence all cavils at religion. The infidel was killed with his own favorite weapon. -
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